Craftsy Class Giveaway

Last year at the Sewing Summit I had the chance to meet some amazing ladies from Craftsy. I even sat down with them as they explained the site to me and how it could launch my desire for releasing my own patterns. Since then I have taken many classes, bought a few patterns and have truly enjoyed this amazing website.

Now here is the perfect chance to check it out for yourself. I am giving away Tara's new craftsy class "Quilt as you go, Patchwork bags" 

Learn the theory behind the quilt-as-you-go technique by working your way through a charming potholder before creating the “Tinker” patchwork bag from blocks you create on the fly. Tara shows you how to use scraps from your stash to build out from a single square using a freehanded approach that celebrates the uniqueness of each quilted bag. Whether you prefer straight-line or free-motion quilting, your extemporaneous blocks will blossom as your bag comes to life. Add a simple pocket or follow Tara’s instruction for a painless hidden zipper pocket. Learn how to add material to the bottom of your bag for extra durability and box corners for extra stability. Finish off your quilted bag with a magnetic closure and eye-catching bias binding. Or hand-sew an invisible binding for extra sophistication.  

What You'll Learn

• How to make a log cabin potholder using the quilt-as-you-go technique
• How to make a straight-line or free-motion patchwork “Tinker” tote bag from the included pattern
• How to construct a leather-bottomed bag
• How to add a simple, divided or zippered pocket
• How to attach a magnetic bag flap
• How to sew box corners to add a wide bottom to your bag
• How to assemble the lining and outer shell of the bag
• How to place a beautiful accent binding or invisible binding 

What You'll Make 

• A stunning tote bag made in the quilt-as-you-go technique
• A log cabin potholder that will make a great gift

Here is how you can enter to win this class....

follow this link -  CRAFTSY GIVEAWAY!

Sign up for your free craftsy account using your name and email. Or sign up using facebook.

This will create your free craftsy account. 

If you already have a craftsy account use your current account to sign in.

If you have trouble seeing the page, try using firefox instead.

One entry per person

I will choose a winner on Monday June 17th.

Good luck everyone and have fun with the site!

Leave a comment here and tell me what you thought of the site.

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Whew~

Oh where do I start? Yes I still sew..... believe it or not, I have not been very interested in quilt projects as much as I am thrilled with the instant gratification of smaller projects. Maybe it's because I have been loading my plate with far too much, trying to keep superwoman status. I was beginning to feel like the load was getting so heavy yet I continued to pile on the "OK sure, I'll do that". I'm sure some of you can relate.

My daughter was enrolled into a summer kindergarten "ready to start" program. With her social skills, and smarts I just felt like she was ready to be around other children. ( it was long overdue) Besides she practically begged me to go. Seeing her so very excited for school made me think of those days way back when, I always said how I couldn't wait to grow up and be done with school. Of course now that we are older, have jobs, responsibilities, and such, we would give up our right arm for another chance at youth. 

As a mother I don't think I took time to enjoy life that much for myself. There was always more work to finish, dishes to do, and laundry to fold. I was missing out on so many things. So now having an extra 4 hours everyday to myself sort of forces me to use that "me time" and it makes our family time together so much better.  I have started sewing again, not worrying too much about how clean the house is all the time, and getting that "quality time" with Sophie. Taking time to smell the roses I guess it's called.

So I am going to come back and share some sewing projects soon, and of course write more because it helps make me feel good. The things I spent time on before are not all so important as being healthy and happy.  

true story!

Crazy for Neon

I have let another little obsession take me over. NEON! I'm crazy for it. My 80's life is coming back and I am loving everything about it. I think it started around Christmas time when my sister brought my niece up for a visit. Her entire wardrobe had something neon on it and I thought it was so fun.

When Brenda over at Pink Castle Fabrics told me she got neon fabric in, I just died a little! Of course I rushed over and tackled it right from the gate. The neon she received is a blend by Michael Miller. Almost like a linen but thinner. I love the texture because it didn't fray at all even cutting it into small pieces. For me a little goes a long way so I mixed it up with a few different ideas that were storming my brain.

I just loved pairing it with this essex yarn dyed linen in black by Robert Kaufman

Zipper bags......

and, fold over clutches  - using LBG Studio's killer pattern for the fold over clutch.

If you are feeling the NEON craze, you can get these fantastic items in my shop here, or buy your own neon fabric at Pink Castle fabrics here.

There is also a fabric special going on for 25% off all bundles with coupon code - BUNLDE25 it's only good through Sunday though so hurry!

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Amy Ellis "Modern Basics II" Blog Hop

Hey Quilters! Thanks for stopping by to visit my take on Amy's new book "Modern Basics II". I was lucky enough to meet Amy at last years Sewing Summit event. She has a clear affection for quilting, and teaching others her wonderful techniques  When I first received a copy of this gorgeous book, I was drawn to the quilt on the cover "To the point".

I believe I was drawn to it first of all for it's simplistic modern feel, then for the awesome twisty design, and of course because I believe that any quilt done in kona solids is amazing! I am pretty sure this will be my first project from the book. I love the wait it looks twisted just by simply changing the color an rotating the block.

 If you have any experience with Amy's first book "Modern Basics" You already know the detail, and explanation she puts into every pattern.... If you have not seen her first book, Get it too!!  Amy makes it easy even for beginning quilters to go from point A to point B with ease. Helping you select exact yardage, cutting strips and then crosscutting into pieces saving sanity and fabric. Her explanations and terms are so easy and its a great support for those of you who have quilted for years, or even those just learning the ropes. This book definitely keeps you feeling like you know just whats going on. I am even more impressed with her new book then I was with her last!

I made Amy's "Tumbling Cubes" Pattern from her first book "Modern Basics", as well as her pattern "Knotted Squares". The ease of making everything into simple straight lines is something I loved, and also something she carried over into this book "Modern Basics II". The ability to "chain piece" an entire quilt with ease is something I look for in my modern patterns. YES! I love Chain Piecing,  (it's my favorite and that's your clue *wink*) To Explain:: I find many blocks that have to many pieces, or confusing piecing instructions to them. It just makes me more concerned on the outcome of my: cuts and of the block, weather it be straight or curvy. I tend to cut one at a time in order to be sure I am getting everything correct. I do not worry about this with Amy's patterns. It's simplistic, and straightforward. That makes chain piecing less worry-some for me. (I can't be the only one, right?) I feel confident cutting out an entire quilt and not feeling like I wasted fabric, at any time.

Take a chance to visit the blog hop and see what others think about Amy's book "Modern Basics II". Here is the schedule and linkage!

Links :

Participants : 

Emily Herrick    http://crazyoldladiesquilts.blogspot.com/

Amy Newbold    http://sukiedontyaknow.com/

Dana Bolyard    http://oldredbarnco.blogspot.com/

Amy Webb    http://www.amylouwhosews.com/

Martingale    http://blog.shopmartingale.com/
Victoria Findlay Wolfe    http://www.bumblebeansinc.blogspot.com/

Katie Blakesley    Www.swimbikequilt.com

Chelsey K    www.fatquartershop.blogspot.com

Terri Harlan    http://sew-fantastic.blogspot.com/

Mary Kolb    http://maryonlakepulaski.blogspot.com/

Pat Sloan    http://blog.patsloan.com

Natalia Bonner    http://www.pieceandquilt.com/

Candy Glendening    http://www.candiedfabrics.com/

Vicki Christensen    http://www.sewinspiredblog.com/

Get this great book now here - 

Amazon

Autographed copies in Amy's Bookshop

Win a copy of this awesome book by visiting all the creative blogs on the schedule  and answering a few questions about each post. Amy will also include a fantastic bundle of prizes from her Stash!

Fill out this form to win!

Stay Creative!

Rainbow Hexadaisey mini quilt

 Pardon me while I run around the house screaming about how awesome this new mini quilt is........ (Ahhhhhhhh) In love is an understatement!.

I met this fantastic person at Sewing Summit last year, (Audrie from Blue is Bleu) Somehow we both got on the topic of swapping mini quilts with each other.. Well yadda yadda we did it!

Audrie made me this fantastic Dresden mini - 

I had to make her something just as cool of course.

  I perused online for something that I could feel challenged by. When coming across the Hexadaisey pattern by Beth of Pieced by Number I knew that was it! 

After that, I only struggled with two ideas.. Rainbow, or Neon! I decided the rainbow would be more fitting of the pattern.

The best way I could tackle this 42 piece pattern was to take it slow and try not to get frustrated  I had almost told myself there was no way I could do it. 

Lucky for me Beth's pattern was amazing! It included a coloring page, detailed instructions, different metric pieces for the pattern and a graph to downsize the block if you had the desire to make it smaller. (whew! Thank you Beth)

I found it easier for me to use a light-box and write on the back of each piece what color it should be, as well as print or solid. Being that paper pieces are backwards this helped quite a lot. I could also suggest using a window instead during the day so that you can see the lines on the backside through the paper.

There were quite a few pieces, but it came together so easily after I took the time to write on the back.

I would totally make this fun pattern again now that I know how Beth makes her patterns I would even recommend any of them for people with basic knowledge of paper piecing. She sells them for around $3.00 each on Etsy, and Craftsy, 

This mini is now on it's way to a new home with Audrie. I am so thrilled to give it to her.

Quilt Details 

Measures 24 x 24

Solids - Kona Cotton

Neutral White - Architextures  by Moda

Binding - Black and White Narrow Stripe by Timeless Treasures

Backing - Delight by Windam Fabrics.

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Happy Valentines Day friends. I hope you feel the love surrounding you today, and always.

XOXO

Stay Creative!